Absorbent floor mat



Jan. 16, 1940. J w B|EwEN 2,187,676

ABSORBENT FLOOR MAT Filed Ndv. 16, 1958 Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE lclalm.

This invention relates to floor mats and more particularly to a sanitary absorbent mat for use in connection with toilet stools, urinals and the like.

ii i The object of the invention is to provide an absorbent mat of simple and inexpensive construction adapted to fit about the base of a toilet stool to prevent the floor from becoming wet or stained when the stool is in use.

10 A further object of the invention is to provide an absorbent mat impregnated with deodorizing or disinfectant material so as to obviate objectionable odors and render the device thoroughly sanitary in character.

A further object is to provide a floor mat having an opening therein to'accommodate the base of a toilet bowl and provided with a plurality of flexible protective fiaps adapted to bear against said base.

50 A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and emciency.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in-all the figures of the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toilet bowl or stool showing my improved absorbent mat applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the fioor mat detached, and

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The improved floor mat forming the subjectmatter of the present invention may be used in connection with toilet bowls,-urinals and the like, and by way of illustration is shown applied to a toilet fixture of standard construction, in which 5 designates the body of the bowl and 8 the base thereof. The mat comprises a body portion 1, preferably substantially rectangular in shape as shown, and formed of absorbent material impregnated with a suitable deodorizing or disinfectant material so as to render the mat sanitary in character. The mat I is preferably of sufilcient size to cause the front and sides of the mat to project a considerable distance from the bowl 5 and thus protect the floor when the bowl is in use. The rear edge of the mat I is formed with an inwardly extending slot I opening through said edge and adapted to accommodate thebaselofthebowlsoastopermitthematto be pressed snugly against said base and form a liquid and moistm'e-proof contact therewith.

Extending diagonally from the forward corners of the slot 8 are diverging incisions 9 defining a front flap i and side fiaps II. The side flaps ii are provided with longitudinal creases or weakened portions l2 defining flexible panels adapted to be bent upwardly and inwardly at said weakened portions to conform to the shape of the base of the bowl, as best shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, and, if desired, similar creases may be also formed in the front flap ill for the same pur- 10 pose. It will thus be seen that, when the mat is placed on a bath room floor in front of the bowl 5, the floor immediately adjacent the bowl will be prevented from becoming wet or stained incident to the use of the boilet stool and that any liquid or moisture which may tend to flowdownwardly over the exterior wall of the bowl will be prevented from coming in contact with the floor by means of the front and side flaps of the mat, as will be readily understood.

By'making the mat of absorbent material any liquid accidentally deposited thereon will be absorbed thereby without giving off any disagreeable odor while the disinfectant material with which the mat is saturated tends to kill noxious germs and other bacteria.

If desired, the mat may also be impregnated. with a suitable sweet smelling liquid, such as perfume or the like, to neutralize the effect of the disinfectant.

While the mat is principally designed for use in connection with toilet stools, said mat may be used with equally good results in connection with standard urinals by omitting the slot 8 and front and rear flaps so that the mat will be fiat and unbroken throughout its entire 'area.

It will, of course, be understood that the floor mats may be made in different sizes and shapes and constructed of any suitable material without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A floor mat comprising a body portion formed of absorbent material impregnated with a disinfectant material, said body portion having a slot extending inwardly from one edge thereof and' provided with diverging incisions forming front and side flaps, said side flaps being formed with spaced longitudinally disposed weakened portions defining a plurality of flexible panels adapted to be bent inwardly and upwardly at said weakened portions to conform .to and bear against the base of a toilet bowl.

JOHN W. BIEWEN. 

